WILLIAMS: Kindle Paperwhite makes e-reading a pleasure

Paperwhite, a new backlit reader, is the latest in Amazon's traditional e-reader lineup.
Amazon

Each year since 2007, Amazon has released a variant of its Kindle eBook devices. And each year I have purchased one of the new models to see what's new. The first few years of Kindles were rough and frustrating to use. The hardware was clunky and the refresh of the e-Ink screen each time a page needed to redraw was distracting.

The third-generation Kindle was the version that finally offered a device that offered what I considered to be a perfect balancing point between the convenience of digital and the distraction free aspects of a good paper book. The device finally gets lost in your hands so you can focus entirely on what you're reading.

Amazon's focus the past two years has been their new Kindle Fire tablet platform, which also offers support for magazines, audio and video, but that doesn't mean traditional Kindles haven't been refreshed as well.

This year's update to the company's traditional e-reader lineup offers a new backlit reader called the Kindle Paperwhite.

One of the knocks on e-book readers in the past has been the lack of a backlit display. The Paperwhite offers a new front-lit display that is always-on that should alleviate those concerns. The screen is still a traditional e-Ink display, but with a soft light blue overlay that allows you to use the device in any lighting scenario. The brightness of the front-light is adjustable using software controls. The resolution of the screen is also slightly higher than previous generation Kindles, which makes text even crisper than before.

Software performance on the device is faster than previous generations. Tap responsiveness is far superior to the previous generation Kindle touch. Typing on the on-screen keyboard is also more usable for typing notes about specific paragraphs in your books.

Amazon claims battery life isn't impacted by the display and the Kindle still offers 2 months of battery life on a single charge given 30 minutes of daily reading. I have been using the device since receiving it and haven't had to plug it in yet. Given the new backlit display and the faster internals, it's an impressive feat for sure.

The Kindle Paperwhite comes in both Wi-Fi and 3G flavors for $119 and $179 respectively. Tack on another $20 on each if you don't want to see "special offers" (Amazon's fancy word for "advertisements"). The 3G version includes a free cellular connection so you can download and sync books on-the-go without having to rely on being near a Wi-Fi connection. I consistently debate whether it's worth the extra $60 each year. If you travel frequently, it likely is.

Given how prevalent tablets are becoming, where does a dedicated book reader fit in? The Kindle Fire, Nexus 7 or an iPad can do more than a classic Kindle reader can, but if you're really just interested in a convenient and pleasant way to read books, there's no better device out there than the Paperwhite.

Justin Williams enjoys using and writing about personal technology. He can be contacted via his website at carpeaqua.com.